Aircraft carrier Ronald Reagan to deploy Saturday

SAN DIEGO - The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Ronald Reagan
and its accompanying air wing and strike group will deploy to the
Western Pacific from San Diego on Saturday, along with about 5,000
sailors.

The Reagan, named for the 40th U.S. president, is being deployed
while the aircraft carrier Kitty Hawk undergoes scheduled
maintenance in Yokosuka, Japan, according to Commander Naval Air
Forces public affairs.

The guided-missile cruiser Lake Champlain and the guided-missile
destroyer Russell will also depart from San Diego this weekend.

The Reagan returned to San Diego last July from its maiden
six-month deployment to the Persian Gulf and Western Pacific, where
its crew conducted security and military operations related to the
war on terrorism.

"We've maintained a high operational tempo since we returned
from deployment, and our ability to surge now is a testament to the
hard work of this crew in keeping the ship battle ready," Capt.
Terry B. Kraft, the Reagan's commanding officer, said in a
statement.

The Reagan, the Navy's ninth Nimitz-class aircraft carrier,
arrived at its homeport in San Diego in 2004.